Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has been urged to leave the FA Cup champions amid interest from Tottenham and Manchester United.
Eze was the hero for the Eagles at Wembley, as he scored the winning goal in their 1-0 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City on 17 May.
The England international proved his class by notching 14 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions this term.
Eze was in particularly good form at the end of the season, scoring seven goals in his last seven outings, including the aforementioned cup final.
Eze told he needs to play in the Champions League
Thanks to their historic FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace will be competing in next season’s Europa League, but Adebayo Akinfenwa doesn’t believe that’s enough to keep Eze at Selhurst Park.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [29 May], Jason Cundy asked Eze’s former Wycombe Wanderers teammate if the 26-year-old has to leave Palace.
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Akinfenwa replied: “I love the fact that he is that guy at Palace, and it all revolves around him.
“I like that. But like anything, you do want to test yourself, and he wants to play in the Champions League, he plays for England. He wants to test himself.”
He continued: “I think Palace are going to find it very hard to keep hold of Eze.”
Football Insider verdict
Eze should favour a move to Tottenham over Man United
As alluded to by Akinfenwa, Eze may have to leave Palace to further his career and enhance his credentials ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The Eagles star has shown he is capable of performing in the Champions League, while booking his spot at the top table of European football would further his development.
With that in mind, the England international should favour a move to Tottenham over that of Man United, as Spurs can offer him Champions League football next term, unlike the Old Trafford club.
Furthermore, Eze would not have to relocate to join fellow London side Tottenham, while Ange Postecoglou’s men could be more likely to hand him game time next season.
Man United are set to sign Matheus Cunha for his £62.5million release clause, and the Brazil international could be expected to start alongside Bruno Fernandes next season in Ruben Amorim’s double ‘number 10’ pivot.
On the other hand, Tottenham’s style of play would seemingly suit the former Queens Park Rangers man very well.